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Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …

Today, the brand offers a complete range of agricultural equipment specializing in cash crop, livestock, hay and forage, small seed crops, orchards and vineyards, material handling and seeding. Its latest concept projects are testament to the brand’s commitment to both sustainability and innovation, two aspects that are fundamental elements of its DNA.

Recent product developments in New Holland’s precision farming technology solutions take the brand one step closer to the fully connected and intelligent ecosystem of Agriculture 4.0 and towards a future of truly autonomous operation.

This innovation extends into the future of farming. Can you imagine a farm of the future which is completely energy independent, satisfying all of its own fuel and energy requirements, as well as those of the local community simply by using waste products? The engineers and designers at New Holland did more than just imagined it, they delivered it too.

“The machine reflects the increasing importance and viability of alternative fuels in farming, and of creating fuel from crops, agricultural waste and waste from the wider food industry.”

The brand’s new methane powered concept tractor features a reimagined design that is a clear departure from anything seen to date in agriculture. The machine reflects the increasing importance and viability of alternative fuels in farming, and of creating fuel from crops, agricultural waste and waste from the wider food industry. New Holland has been pushing the boundaries of innovation in clean energy solutions for more than a decade through its Clean Energy Leader strategy, and this is the latest step along this path.

Waste food can be fed into the biodigester to generate biogas | via CNH Industrial/New Holland

The methane powered concept tractor forms a vital link in the virtuous cycle that delivers CO2 neutral production, where the Energy Independent Farm™ (a concept that New Holland launched in 2009) produces the energy it needs to power its operations, heat farm buildings and run its equipment. Biomethane as a sustainable fuel is particularly well suited to farms, as they have the raw materials and the space to house a biodigester to produce the gas. The methane can also be used to fuel a generator to produce electricity that can be used on the farm with any extra fed back into the electricity grid to power local communities. The by-products of biodigestion can then be used as natural fertilizers on the farm’s fields.

The methane powered concept tractor’s engine is designed by FPT Industrial, the global powertrain brand of CNH Industrial, and delivers the same power and torque as its standard diesel equivalent. It also has the same service intervals and generates up to 30 percent running cost savings over buying-in diesel. The innovative tank design enables a full day’s autonomy in line with an equivalent diesel model.

The methane powered concept tractor produces at least 10 percent lower CO2 emissions and reduces overall emissions by 80 percent compared to a standard diesel tractor. Its environmental performance further improves when fueled by biomethane, produced from crop residues and waste from farm-grown energy crops, which results in virtually zero CO2 emissions.

Another evolution rooted in precision farming and efficiency is the New Holland NHDrive concept autonomous tractor, unveiled back in 2016. This concept enables farmers and agribusinesses to improve their all-round productivity and efficiency. It follows predetermined and optimized plans for all field activities, ensuring the most efficient field coverage. It is also able to make full use of narrow weather widows, such as when planting, as it can work around the clock with uniform productivity, enabling agribusinesses to make the most of available labor. New Holland is continuing to develop the autonomous program as it remains an integral part of future product evolution.

The portable tablet interface enables the user to start the machine and send it on its task autonomously | via CNH Industrial/New Holland

When operating in fully autonomous mode, the unmanned NHDrive tractor can be monitored and controlled via a desktop computer or via a portable tablet interface. This enables farmers to access tractor and implement data, wherever they are, from different locations, whilst checking fields whenever they need from any location, even while tending livestock or from the comfort of home. This not only facilitates right-time decision making but also enhances operational efficiency and productivity, and enables farmers to maintain full control and ownership of their data.

The NHDrive concept tractor’s cab is identical to that of a standard production model. This means that it can also be used for those operations where complete autonomy is not yet possible, such as front loader work and high speed road transport.

The NHDrive concept autonomous tractor makes full use of the advanced Precision Land Management (PLM) technology for precision farming. This tractor design represents a first and very important step towards a new model of responsible farming management on a global level.

These examples represent the near future of the agricultural business and demonstrate how New Holland is redefining the concept of farming, day after day, offering innovative and sustainable solutions for farmers all around the world. At New Holland Agriculture, we have made farming innovation our main goal for more than 120 years and are proud to be an active and driving force in this important change.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …